FrenchConnection44
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Corey Pronman, The Athletic, on the Sabres Draft (he had us 7th in his draft rankings and the rest were up there largely because they drafted in the top 6).
Buffalo Sabres: B+
Zach Benson is an excellent starting point to Buffalo’s draft. I have mild concerns on how small their farm system is getting up front, and I thought Benson got slightly overhyped in the draft process, but he could be a top-six wing in the NHL. After Benson, Buffalo picked a lot of guys on Day 2 I was fans of in Anton Wahlberg, who was a heavier presence up front, Maxim Strbak, Gavin McCarthy and Scott Ratzlaff, who I thought was underrated due to his size. I could see several NHL players from this draft for Buffalo.
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Thought this might be a useful thread (rather than just individual player interest).
This from Ryan Clark and Kristen Shilton at ESPN (breaking down what each team should do):
Buffalo Sabres
Key player hitting UFA: F Vinnie Hinostroza
Key players hitting RFA: None
Cap space: $14,459,763What they should do: Buffalo is blessed with young talent. Now, GM Kevyn Adams must insulate the Sabres' core with more veterans -- especially on their blue line. Extending Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power is an obvious priority. But adding a defenseman like Radko Gudas or Dmitry Orlov to help guide Buffalo's stars would take this team to another level of competitiveness.
Then there's the goalie situation. Again, the Sabres have up-and-comers in Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen -- plus journeyman Eric Comrie under contract another season -- but there's no real No. 1 choice in net for Buffalo entering next season. The Sabres have cap space to spare. Could Frederik Andersen, for instance, come in on a lucrative short-term deal to improve Buffalo now while also giving its next generation of goaltenders a player to learn from?
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I like both those ideas of Andersen and a solid veteran defenseman. Gudas is likely the cheaper of the two as he’s older. Orlov would be quite an addition. Some have tales up Ryan Graves but he’s another lefty and at his age and size he’s going to want to land a big deal and will be in demand from teams like Toronto and others needing defensive help. Andersen would be ideal, imo. Maybe 2-3 yr deals for any of those. Orlov is probably looking for more money and a longer deal. He’s a solid physical player though and would really be a very solid upgrade to the back end.
Really, those are the two prime needs imo. Adding a solid two-way veteran forward who has high compete or physicality might be nice in light of Quinn’s injury. But I wouldn’t spend really big there. It would a short term deal, imo, 1-2 yrs as we have such a strong pipeline.
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11 hours ago, RochesterExpat said:
I agree with you that Rosen and Kulich are not NHL ready, but it's worth noting that Kulich put up his numbers despite being 18 for virtually the entire season whereas Quinn was 20 at the start and Peterka turned 20 in January of their AHL season. It's a fair comparison for Rosen.
This is an important observation with Kulich. Not only was he 18 most of the year but it was his first time away from home and he started out very slowly as he adjusted to the game in the AHL.
He scored 2 goals his first 16 games;
7 in his first 32.
But the latter half his talent really began to shine as he felt more at home and he scored 18 goals in the final 30 games.
A 0.6 goals / game clip.
I think Baker’s prediction from back just after the season ended is right. Kulich and Savoie will be invited to camp and there is a good chance both will get 10 game stint’s and then go to the WJs and then back to their minor league spots unless they are needed at the end of the year and have really shown they belong. Quinn being out till likely end of December opens up some opportunity.
A difference I see in Kulich from all these young guys being discussed is his shot; he is a true sniper. If he gets with the right line, he can be a deadly scorer. Killer on PP. His passing is slower in developing, though. He’s not the playmaker Quinn is.
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Totally sucks. He’s a star in the making. Really solid piece.
But return from Achilles is possible. Much better prospects today than 10-15 years ago. I’ve seen both NFL players and NBA players tear it and return.
If it’s 6 full months that puts him right at mid-late December. So he could be in the lineup in the spring. I suspect even after December he won’t be at full speed this year. He will be healthy. It is likely 2024 before we can see him at full health. But he could well have a full recover.
Cam Akers is a good example. Had a new type of surgery.
He returned 6 months after surgery. Did not appear to be full speed. That year (2022). But last year he seemed to have returned to his usual self.
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Cory Pronman’s (The Athletic) Day two rankings - we landed #4 & 5.
4. Anton Wahlberg, C, MALMO JR. (SWEDEN-JR.)
July 4, 2005 | 6′ 3″ | 192 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL averagePlayer comparable: Pierre Engvall
Background: Wahlberg was an all situations player for Malmo’s J20 team and a top-six forward for Sweden’s U18 team. He got called up to Malmo late in the season where he played a notable role, including in their relegation-round games.
Analysis: Wahlberg’s raw toolkit instantly stand out when you watch. He’s a 6-foot-3 forward who can move very well for his size and has legit offensive skills. The way he can pull pucks by opposing defensemen while moving at a fast pace looks like an NHL forward. He plays a direct style and with his frame plus speed can get to the net very well. I don’t think he’s overly physical, but he has some bite in him, gets to the net, and coaches tend to lean on him. Wahlberg’s biggest issue is a lack of vision and so-so decision making with the puck. Wahlberg played center in the J20 level but played wing with Sweden’s U18 team and in the SHL. If he can score just somewhat as a pro, with his size and speed he will have an NHL career as a middle six forward, whether down the middle or the wing, and I think he’s trending that way.
5. Maxim Strbak, RHD, SIOUX FALLS (USHL)
April 13, 2005 | 6′ 1″ | 198 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-endPlayer comparable: Ben Chiarot
Background: Strbak hasn’t put up big offensive numbers in club play between the USHL and Finland’s junior league over the last two seasons. On the international stage he’s been leaned on though. Strbak played a major role on Slovakia’s world junior team, including a 22-minute performance against Canada in the quarterfinals that went to overtime. He was a leading player for Slovakia’s U18 team this season, which went to the semifinals at the worlds. Strbak was a top-four defenseman on the Slovakia team that won silver at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky. He made Slovakia’s 2022 world junior team as a 16-year-old and was a big part of the club that got Slovakia promoted at the U18 level last spring. He is committed to Michigan State University.
Analysis: Strbak is a defense-first defenseman. He’s a tall, right shot who is mobile and makes a lot of stops due to his reach, feet, physicality and excellent compete level. He brings a strong effort every night, and coaches tend to lean on him in tough situations. I don’t see him as a legit scorer and puck-mover in the NHL, but he’s good enough with the puck, can skate pucks up, and can make enough plays to survive at higher levels. I think he will be a second or third pair defenseman in the NHL depending on the level of offense he brings.
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31 minutes ago, TRIP65 said:
Rosen is ready and needed, he is going nowhere. Just by admitting he is different than Quinn makes him useful for Sabres. Savoie/Benson are NOT NHL ready right now, Rosen is. Savoie or Benson can develop on Sabres but that is NOT what Sabres are doing now. Rochester is up to speed now and the perfect place to develop, hour down the road.
There are 3 players who have some trade value that if moved creates space for three player. Move Krebs, Olofsson, Middlestat at some point and bring up Rousek, Kulich and Rosen at some point this year Permanently.
Olofsson and CM for sure - I would be fine with that. But I would not want to trade Krebs yet. His compete is a huge asset. We can still find space for those guys if they show they are ready.
We will see what Savoie does in camp. Should be interesting. But these are really good problems to have.
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12 hours ago, bg17 said:
I’ve been with them since 1973 and absolutely cannot wait for the season to start. I also like beverages.
First Sabres game I watched was a 7-2 loss to the Bruins in 1970 (age 9) - they had like 983 shots and our goalie was great (actually 80 or so shots). Cried and trashed my room when we lost to the Flyers in ‘75.
I was excited about the pick and feel really good about the future of this team the next 3-5 years. Love what Benson can bring.
We kind of have a team a bit like Tampa Bay with a lot of forward talent and some good young defensemen to go with it. Still need a top 4 defender but that could come soon.
There are a couple of RHDs at the top of round 2 I’d be interested in and would would not mind seeing us nab that huge goalie, Hrabel at some point. If we don’t use one of these picks in a trade.
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Hard to believe all the complaining about too much forward talent.
And he’s a two way forward. Which is lacking on this team.
He’s been comp’d to Kucherov, Point, Marner, Marc Savard. Give me a 30/60-80 guy who defends any day.
Not all our talent in the lower levels will pan out. And what exactly is wrong with having 12 top-6 talent players? Just means our 3-4 lines will be that much more deadly.
He was the 3rd leading scorer in the WHL at age 17 most of the year. Turned 18 in May. He’s still super young. He’s 5’9.75, 170. When he gets to 180-185 (and he could still get taller), with his defensive stick skills and quick feet - plus added speed - he will be a pesky player opponents will hate and who will just make plays up and down the ice.
We went BPA on our board, no doubt. In the NHL you have to go BPA. Too many players drafted in the first don’t pan out.
In 2-3-4 years, odds are high we will be real happy the board fell as it did.
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14 hours ago, LGR4GM said:
So many great plays. Love that he is so tenacious on D.
Two of the plays I loved:
When he dives to one knee, poke checks the puck, pops up, skips past the defender then passes behind him for a goal.
Then the back check at center ice, turns and skates all the way in on goal and scores!
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12 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:
Sorry, is there a rule that you can’t have 2 guys under 5’10 on your team?
We are building our own set of Kucherov, Point, Stamkos type forwards. I’ll take that.
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Talent is talent. He’s a two-way player with skill and drive. Plays pp and pk. He will need to add 15 lbs of good weight to his frame but that shouldn’t be a problem and it will enhance his speed. He will be a guy who will be pesky, play defense, and put points on the board. he’s not 6’1, but that’s been overrated to some degree; otherwise, What’s not to like?
He instantly vaulted into the top scorer position among our prospects. Granted, WHL. Still …
As to a logjam at forward on the NHL roster? In a year or two we have 4-5 forwards who will be departing for various reasons (age; free agency; trades). So I think the spaces will open up for the likes of him, Savoie, Kulich, et al.
I am still in the trusting Adams mode. Would like to see us sign a big free agent on D.
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Good piece here on the Sabres scouting process.
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4 hours ago, dudacek said:
A team that had Thompson Mittelstadt Cozens and Krebs on their roster already, went out invested 3 first round picks on centres last year.
I was perfectly fine with that - partly because I believe the more options you have the better, but mostly because I believe they were all good players and good value for the pick.
Pick the best player and it will all sort itself out.
Imo at this point you have to go BPA over positional need at 13 given it could be a year or two to get to the club. We can always add RHD in free agency or trade. For immediate help. But if they think a D is the best player on the board, well fine.
Players that seem to be trending are Simashev, Pellikka, Moore, and Perrault. Baker mentioned all but Simashev as serious targets. I would be happy with whomever they think is the best player. I see positives in all. That Moore has size, speed, and can be a two way guy is an exciting prospect. Pellikka is small but a righty. And Baker compared him to Cal Maker. link to article below has a really good breakdown on him and one pundit rated him the fifth best overall. Vancouver appears to be interested.
https://twitter.com/sportsmde/status/1673885117532569602?s=46&t=EB7RmKnqTQzD3e9c8TXAGg
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13 minutes ago, dudacek said:
Skinner Thompson TuchMitts Cozens Quinn
Peterka Krebs Greenway
Girgensons Jost Okposo
Potential.
my problem with Casey is he’s not a scorer. His shot isn’t especially accurate or powerful. Plus I would like to see Kulich make the team. Possibly Rosen.
Casey could center a line with a scorer or two and his speed and decent forecheck could come in handy. He’s a decent passer.
Love pairing Quinn and Cozens. big future there imo. Also like your 3rd line a lot. Could do some real damage.
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One has to wonder what they are thinking for free agency and who might actually want to come to Buffalo without being too over paid. I’m okay with a trade as long as it’s not one of our young assets. Don’t know how much Olafsson will bring in.
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We shall see if this is the right move.
First and foremost we still need a significant upgrade at top 4 defenseman and a vet starter in goal to split time with and take the pressure off Levi. This should be had through free agencyI was hoping for an upgrade over Girgs. Although mentioned above I don’t see him bring much physicality or toughness on the ice given his size. Certainly not much in the way of a two way forward. Which is really a need on this roster - guy who can set the tone - not with hits per se but just a physical skater and checker. Just haven’t seen Girgs do that.
Only one year so not a huge cap hit. We shall see if Adams is building to slowly or not.
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Going for the Panthers because I don’t ever want to see Eichel win the Cup.
That said, Tkachuk is such a piss ant that I am a bit torn. But still trumps my animosity toward Jack.
Let’s go Bobrovski!!
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4 hours ago, mjd1001 said:
I guess I am okay with the signing.
But in no universe, whatsoever, do I want Girgensons back! He offers nothing to the team. It’s just an expense and money that could be used far better. Either going toward signing our young players to long-term deals, or put toward a bigger, free agent signing. I just don’t get, the benefit of Girgensons to this team. For his size, he is not at all a very physical player. And he’s not a scorer either. If he were some sort of epic defender and a strong physical presence on the ice I could see it. But he isn’t.
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Final Four has almost zero interest for me with none of these teams being in a legit hockey town. I do not want Vegas because Eichel (the guy has been playing better in the playoffs than he ever did here). If I wanted one team to win, probably the Panthers. Like others, I wish we still had Montour. That would have likely vaulted us into the playoffs. I hope Adams sees that reality and can land a top 4 defender this off season.
After the Sabres - I root for the Original 6 (aside from Boston) in the cup chase or the Oilers (loved the Gretzky / Messier era there).
Growing up in Buffalo (even before the Sabres arrived) I loved Hockey Night in Canada on Wednesday and Saturday. Never hated the Leafs like some on here do (probably from interaction with Leaf fans). Always enjoyed the Leafs teams of Borje Salming, Daryl Sittler, & Lanny McDonald. Bruins were the team I hated as they beat up on us early (will never forget a 7-2, 80 shot on goal drubbing). Really hated all the Boston teams. Pats. Celtics because they always seemed to beat the Braves when it mattered. I was at a great game 4 win (McAdoo was incredible) and a game six loss on a bad foul call that allowed JoJo White to sink two FTs with no time on the clock (sat just behind the stansion at those games - snuck down to sit by the ball boys!). Crushing. (though they had some amazing players to watch in Cowens, Havlicek, White). Also hate the Flyers for obvious reasons (1975). I digress.
Quite Meh on this final four as I think most of Canada & the US will be.
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We definitely need a veteran goalie to carry a heavy load and let Levi progress and not be overworked or over pressured. a 1A and Levi as 1B could take a lot of pressure off his shoulders and free him to push hard and improve and build confidence. I’m not for giving up a ton.
But if the Sabres (Adams) thinks we are just one top tier goalie away from being bonafide Cup contenders I would question that. I think there are a couple of other pieces for sure. A top 4 defenseman would help a lot. And replacing the forwards likely to leave with a solid two way forward would be very helpful, imo.
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On 5/11/2023 at 4:28 PM, Thorny said:
Casey is fine as a winger because we (see: most teams) play “positionless hAckey” in the o-zone. While positions matter while defending and in transition (making Cozens the better natural C) while on O Casey can still free flow to play to his strengths. But imo he seems fine on board battles and getting his shot off, anyways
There is some sense to the positionless aspect and that may benefit him. Who knows. I'm not entirely opposed to that or certainly giving it a try. But I would not put much stock in his ability to get his shot off simply because it's been neither precise or potent. I'd like to have at least one other, if not two, goal scorer alongside Cozens. I think you'll see Quinn and Peterka pass up Middlestadt in goal scoring and shot % next year. They've had one season and nearly matched Casey (whose first full season came 5 years back in 2018-19) in goals scored. This year CM proved he can pass and set up others pretty well. But Cozens is both a goal scorer and distributor. To me CM is more of a 3rd line level - bottom 6 - player. Cozens is clearly a top 6 talent. And I think Quinn is going to be that; perhaps Peterka. But I'd say Peterka has better goal scoring quality than CM - unless CM develops a sniper shot out of the blue at age 25.
I also suspect that within two years, if they continue to progress as they have, we'll see Savoie and Kulich (and perhaps even Rosen) pass up CM for offensive firepower.
On the other hand, if we are going to continue to develop Krebs it might be good to put some more offensive firepower alongside him and see what happens there - so that may require fitting CM on a line with Cozens.
Part of the trickiness to the equation is calculating how well and how fast these 19-22 year olds develop - relative to Casey at 24; who, given he did miss a good bit of time the past 3 years with injuries, could have a higher ceiling than it appears. But all that is also an unknown. In the mean time we have to push to win, not just develop. I'm all for whatever benefits that. New Jersey is about the same age range and they made a big jump this past year. We've progressed a bit more slowly.
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On 5/9/2023 at 10:18 AM, Brawndo said:
KO gets one more year if He wants it as GMKA has mentioned.
Zemgus will be 30 next season is probably looking for a longer term deal in the 3-4 year range. Will the Sabres be interested in doing that?
Zemgus said at the end of year, he would like to be back but this is a business. Adams has mentioned Okposo however has been coy about Zemgus.
If the idea is to keep Krebs as the 4th Line Center, it would be much better for him to have wingers with some offensive finishing ability which Zemgus certainly does not provide.
I don’t see the point in resigning Girgs with the cap space and the need for more dynamic two way players on lines 3-4. Just don’t see him offering anything special or unique.
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14 hours ago, LabattBlue said:
Great piece. That’s the attitude you want. Reminds me a bit of Krebs in that way.
Good goals tonight by two promising youngsters.
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12 hours ago, dudacek said:
Why shouldn’t the Sabres play Mittelstadt and Cozens together next year?
They made some nice plays when they were together.
Put a rejuvenated Greenway with them for matchup purposes and you might be looking at a very good 2nd line.
Krebs between Girgs and Okposo (or veteran upgrades) on a checking line.
Savoie slides in between Jack and JJ to fill the Vanek/Roy/Max 2006 role feasting on 3rd-pairings.
The more I think about it, the more I like it.
I just don't know what to think about Middlestadt. He improved this year. But I think he's a passing center.
He is fast and can pass decently, but he just doesn't have a great shot or scoring prowess. As a wing, I just don't see him taking advantage of Cozens talent, imo.
I can see Savoie in that slot at C next year.
But eventually I think Savoie and Kulich on a line would be ideal (not this year but in 2024-25). Both can skate fast. Savoie has lots of great tools for scoring, handle, and passing; and Kulich is a sniper.
In fact, in two years - perhaps even some this season - I think our PP will include Kulich and Tage on the wings and goalies will be caught in a cross fire.
2023 NHL Summer Trade Thread
in The Aud Club
Posted
For the Sabres, I want to see how free agency plays out before exploring trades. I suspect a lot of teams do. I posted a new thread on free agency for the Sabres specifically. For discussion just on that. That is the area where we need to look first for shoring up talent at D (top 4), Goal (vet split duty starter with Levi) and Forward (short term guy; 1-2 yrs imo). But this is a relatively weak free agent class.